In particular, no principles - working - and purifying our own views. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek) - Charley Toorop

The simple natural form doesn't exist for the new artist; there is only a expressive one.. .But is is more difficult to see the natural in images than to listen to only abstract impressions. To be part of the cosmic means to include the recognition of the natural element that leads to seeing in a spirited way. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

.. What I made here up to now [Paris, 1920] is not very special. Only a painting of my head and Eddy [her son Edgar] with it - including houses and roofs on the background - has something of what I intend to.. ..but one thing I know now for sure. That I was shocked by the [her own] paintings I received here from Holland, for example the old man I painted. It is perhaps the best thing I ever made, but what a distress all together. I want everything gradually becoming more clear. And I want to make happy, radiant things at any cost. I mean inwardly radiant and tight and silent. I really believe this will come.. .Back home again I shall study and start from the bottom again; very simple things - study flowers, hands and people's faces and learn how to paint and draw well. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

..you could call [the two artists Mondrian and Bart van der Leck ] absolute counterparts. Outwardly they are of course both abstract, of course, but I hate such a view on their art. I find it superficial to consider them like that from the very start. Their life and character is also completely different. Van der Leck lives as a peasant and lives a domestic life. Either one is abstract in his soul, or he isn't. Van der Leck is a real realist. Mondrian has always been away from the world, he is a romantic ascetic, a sophisticated monk. Van der Leck is really nice (Dutch: fijn), but he is certainly not sophisticated (Dutch: verfijnd)..